If you are like me, you have a bunch of jeans that are faded at the knees and seams. They are still in good shape, meaning they are not work jeans, but they are faded from too many washings, or maybe they were too light colored when you bought them. You can rejuvenate them and make them look new again! Save yourself the money of buying new and you get to keep jeans that you already love. Sound like a win/win to me.
Here's how!
Here's how!
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The first time that I tried to dye a pair of jeans, I used navy blue liquid dye by Rit. I did not care for the color they came out, it was a really strange dark slate/royal color that did not look like any jeans I have ever seen before. I was disappointed and was going to throw in the towel, but I did some research on the internet and I found a couple articles that recommended using black dye. I had some severe doubts, but I figured what did I have to lose, I did not like them as they were, so might as well go for it.
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What you will need:
- 4 or 5 gallon bucket
- Dye
- Water
- Long handled spoon or stick for stirring
- 1 cup of vinegar
Instructions:
1. Heat three to three and a half gallons of water to just under boiling
2. Pour into bucket and add 4 ounces (half the bottle) of dye and mix
3. Add your jeans and stir till they are evenly covered.
4. For the best results, they need to soak for one hour with constant stirring so that the dye does not settle in places on your jeans resulting in dark patches. However, I stirred mine every 5 to 10 minutes, doing small tasks in between and they were fine.
5. Remove the jeans from the bucket (I put the whole bucket in the bathtub and take them out there) and rinse them under the faucet until the water you squeeze out of them is clear. (you can use this same dye to dye other items such as more jeans, tops or sweaters)
6. Run your washing machine full of cold water. Add one cup vinegar and stir to mix.
7. Put your jeans in the washing machine DO NOT ADD SOAP!!! and run it through a regular cycle. This is to set the dye into the fabric.
8. Take the jeans and hang them outside to dry. Do not put them in the dryer.
1. Heat three to three and a half gallons of water to just under boiling
2. Pour into bucket and add 4 ounces (half the bottle) of dye and mix
3. Add your jeans and stir till they are evenly covered.
4. For the best results, they need to soak for one hour with constant stirring so that the dye does not settle in places on your jeans resulting in dark patches. However, I stirred mine every 5 to 10 minutes, doing small tasks in between and they were fine.
5. Remove the jeans from the bucket (I put the whole bucket in the bathtub and take them out there) and rinse them under the faucet until the water you squeeze out of them is clear. (you can use this same dye to dye other items such as more jeans, tops or sweaters)
6. Run your washing machine full of cold water. Add one cup vinegar and stir to mix.
7. Put your jeans in the washing machine DO NOT ADD SOAP!!! and run it through a regular cycle. This is to set the dye into the fabric.
8. Take the jeans and hang them outside to dry. Do not put them in the dryer.
A Few Important Notes:
- Rinse your bathtub immediately to prevent staining.
- Run an empty hot water cycle through your washing machine after washing anything newly dyed.
- I always wash my dyed jeans inside out, in cold water and I never put them in the dryer. The dryer is hard on the finish of jeans and contributes a lot to fading, even new jeans.
- I am very sparing with the soap when washing my dyed clothing, and I use gentle detergent. I have no proof but I believe it helps keep the color darker. I also put vinegar in the wash water every 4 or 5 times, I am hoping that it helps keep the color dark, but I have no proof of that either.
So that is how I learned to save my old jeans, and actually I also dye my dark colored tops and tees that are faded, if they are still in good shape. I have also found that you can dye sweaters too! I had this pink sweater and I never liked the color. Long story short, it is now a burgundy sweater and I love it!
Have a great week!
Jade :)
Have a great week!
Jade :)
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